Corset-stay.



G. E. HAWES.

CORSET STAY.

APPLIGATION FILED Dnc. z, 1,910.

Patented Apr. 2, 1912.

wi tueoaea I sions that are alternately disposed flat and the accompanying drawings I have shown it applied to the central part since that is the part lwhere the greatest strain is usually applied and most necessary to protect. This reinforcement is of a graduated character, being stiffer throllighout its` central portion and lighterl and more flexible near the ends, thus producing a graduated form of stiffening, so that the ends will not be particularly noticeable when the stay. is bent and consequently less liable to break at the `point of end of reinforcement.

The reinforcement comprises a special form of thin sheet metal strip 12 which as cut includes one plain straight edge 13 and an opposite serrated edge forming extenlongitudinally against the opposite sides of the body of the stay when the strip is spirally wound around the stay, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

o" in aecordaxwe with the foregoing descripf The reinforcing strip is spirally Wound around the body of the stay with its plain end portions 15 disposed to form the end portion of the reinforcement while the re maining portion having the extensions are similarly wound to form the intermediate and stiffer part. The extensions 14 are thus omitted from the edge of the end portions of the strip so as not to form any overlap of the metal, with the last wrap or two of the strip, as indicated at 15, thereby lessen-v ing the amount. of stiffness at those two points adjoining the wire body of the stay better to afford a graduated bend of the complete stay and thus avoid any tending of the stay 'to form a sharp bend and break at that point where pressure is applied. The parallel adjacent edge portions'of the wound reinforcing stripl are spaced apart as seen at 1G to insure an edgewise bend of the, stay while the lower edge of the strip serves lto overlap the extensions on the opposite sides. l

A f'ter the thin metal reinforcing strip is spirally wound around the body of the stay with its lower straight `edge portion 13 overlapping the extensions 14 of the top edge and the two free ends ofthe strip disposed flat against the side of thewire, the said reinforced portion of the stay is placed in between suitable closing dies which serve to swage and crowd the thin sheet metal close against and in between the Woven Wire for the 'purpose Aof effectively securing the strip to thestay and to further shape that part of the stay to better conform to size and shape of theI outer end portions. After the ,stay has been constructed and formed tion, the same may be covered with a paper or cotton covering, not'shown, 'in the usual. manner, to form a smooth finish for the stay if desired.

Having thus described my invention What I claim and desire torsecure by Letters Pattent is f 1. The combination with a flexible garment stay, of a reinforcement therefor comprising a sheet metal strip spirallyl Wound around the portion of the stay to be s'tiffcned, and having a series of extensions formed upon one edge and disposed against the two sides of the main body of the stay when wound thereabout.

2. The combination with a flexible garment stay, of a reinforcement therefor comprising a sheet metal strip spirally Woundl around the portion of the stay to be-stifi'- ened, and having a series of extensions on one edge of the ce'ntral portion of the stay that are disposed against the opposite sides of the central portion of the stay to make it stiffer at the middle than at the end portion of said reinforcement, and means for securing said strip and its extensions again@A the body of the stay` The combination with a woven Wire garment stay, of a reinforcement therefor comprising. a sheet metal strip spirally wound around the portion of the-stay to be stiftened and having underlapping extensions upon one edge of'the center portion i of the strip so as to be stiffer at lts center than at its end portions to insure a gradual bend of the stay. 4. The combination with a flexible garment stay, of reinforcement therefor comprising a sheet metal strip spirally wound around the portionl of the stay to be stiffened. and having a series of extensions upon one edge Yto form both overlapping and spaced 'edge portions to render the stay' stiffer. vet flexible.

5. The combination with `a flexible garment stay, of a reinforcement therefor com- 

